Brush, the brush attaching system and a vacuum cleaner

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a brush for a vacuum cleaner comprising a disc designed to mount brush to vacuum cleaner characterized in that the brush disc ( 10 ) is equipped with the permanent magnet ( 9 ), facing one of its magnetic poles in the vacuum cleaner direction. 
     Furthermore, the invention comprises the brush attaching assembly, especially the rotary brush of the vacuum cleaner, characterized in that it is equipped with the permanent magnet ( 9 ) facing one of its magnetic poles in the brush direction and a vacuum cleaner which is equipped with the described brush attaching assembly.

The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner brush, especially the rotating brush, which includes a disc designed to attach brush to a vacuum cleaner, a hub for mounting the brush, especially the rotating brush, to a vacuum cleaner and the vacuum cleaner equipped with a hub for attaching the brush.

In the prior state of the art, there are known autonomous vacuum cleaners that move independently on the designated area and clean it up (vacuuming) dry or wet with rotating brushes mounted on the bottom of the vacuum cleaner. Autonomous moving of the vacuum cleaner is possible thanks to its own source of energy (e.g. a battery pack), driving modules, variety of sensors and properly configured or programmed automation, making it move through a programmed route or move in a random way, while avoiding obstacles. Typical sensors applied in such cases are: an IMU (the Inertial Measurement Unit), an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a magnetometer, an encoder on the wheel robot, a camera, proximity sensors (e.g. ultrasonic sensor), a compass, a D-GPS receiver. In many cases, vacuum cleaners are equipped with a remote control unit which communicates by radio with it. This enables a convenient control of a vacuum operation by a user. Vacuum cleaners of this type usually have a round or close to a circular enclosure, which allows easy turning in tight areas, but also they might come in variety of shapes including a rectangular shape or a side.

In most cases, these vacuum cleaners are equipped with rotating brushes occurring in pairs (left and right brush). These brushes are not identical, but the most common they are mirrored and when mounted in the vacuum cleaner they rotates in opposite directions. In this case, proper installation of left and right brush on their places is critical. If brushes are installed inversely brush device will not work properly, and even brush or drive unit may be damaged.

Examples of such cleaners are commercially available models: Samsung NaviBot, Roomba by iRobot, Trilobite offered by Electrolux and Philips HomeRun. These vacuum cleaners are also subject to a number of patent applications, for example, European patent EP 2 325 714 A1.

FIG. 1 (prior state of the art) shows a bottom view of an autonomous vacuum cleaner from Samsung, model SR8855, where a rotary brush can be seen. This brush is fixed by screw into the hub of the left brush motor. To replace/maintenance brush in this model there is a need to have a suitable tool (a screwdriver). The tool can be lost. Moreover, screws which are very small can also be lost during the brush maintenance. The photo shows one more detail: In the hollow where the brush is set, there is a large letter L indicating which brush should be screwed there. The same letter is on the shoulders of the brush. However, only a proper interpretation of the signs by the user ensures correct installation. In case of incorrect installation (confusing right and left brush) there is risk of above-mentioned damage of a brush or a vacuum cleaner.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide the innovative brush mounting system for a vacuum cleaner, which provides easy, fast and errorless brush replacement/remove especially when the brushes are in pairs and have dedicated positions on vacuum cleaner (e.g. left/right).

According to the invention, a brush for a vacuum cleaner comprising of a disc designed for attaching it to a vacuum cleaner, and is characterized in that the brush disc is provided with a permanent magnet, facing one of its magnetic poles in the direction of the vacuum cleaner.

Preferably, it is a rotating brush.

Preferably, the permanent magnet is a neodymium magnet, preferably a cylindrical neodymium magnet.

The invention also includes a brush attaching assembly, especially the rotating brush of a vacuum cleaner, characterized in that it is equipped with a permanent magnet, facing one of its magnetic poles in the direction of the brush.

Preferably, brush attaching assembly is also brush drive.

Preferably, the present invention includes a motor brush and the hub, for securing a rotating brush.

Preferably, the permanent magnet is located in the hub.

Preferably, said permanent magnet is a neodymium magnet, preferably a cylindrical neodymium magnet.

The invention also includes a vacuum cleaner wherein meant a brush, especially a rotating brush, that the attaching assembly is present.

Preferably, the vacuum cleaner has at least two such assemblies for mounting the brushes, especially rotating brushes, left and right assemblies, each of them contains a hub with a permanent magnet, facing one of its magnetic poles toward the brush, wherein the permanent magnet in hub of right assembly is facing toward the brush with an opposite pole than the permanent magnet in the left assembly hub is.

Preferably, the vacuum cleaner according to the invention is an automatic vacuum cleaner, and especially a remote-controlled or an autonomous vacuum cleaner.

Preferably, the vacuum cleaner according to the invention is provided with a brush according to the invention.

In range other than the brush mounting method, a vacuum cleaner may be a typical solution known in present state of the art. Therefore, a vacuum cleaner is equipped at least with the suction unit having air filters and a container, allowing intake and storage of a dust and debris into the vacuum cleaner, a power module (e.g. electrical cord or battery), a power switch, a housing, handles for carrying a vacuum and fasteners to attach the additional equipment. These modules are assembled and functionally linked together in a manner appropriate for the vacuum cleaner, well-known to specialists.

Especially preferable, the present invention implements to automatic vacuum cleaners, means vacuum cleaners equipped with a drive, the chassis and wheels, capable of independent movement, especially the autonomous vacuum cleaners. By autonomous vacuum cleaner is meant also vacuum cleaner equipped with sensors and properly configured or programmed automation, coupled with sensors and drivetrain, and possibly additional control functions of vacuum so that the vacuum can move and perform its tasks independently, even in the absence of supervision by the user (i.e. autonomous). To ensure the full autonomy, an autonomous vacuum cleaner must include a built-in power supply, based on battery power, with the system and the control algorithm of the automatic charging process, in cooperation with the base (also called a docking station), capable of successfully guide (navigate) the vacuum cleaner to itself, and then the controlled charging process and possibly a restart of work (vacuuming). Both automatic and autonomous vacuum cleaners have the adaptive channel inlet i.e. that adjusts itself to an uneven ground.

The invention will now be detaily illustrated in a preferred realization, with the reference to the attached drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 (prior art) shows a bottom view of an autonomous vacuum cleaner from Samsung, model SR8855, where rotary brush can be seen. Brush is fixed by screw to the left brush driving module,

FIG. 2 shows the mounting diagram of the brush attaching assembly, according to the invention, and the brush suitable to that assembly which is also related to the invention: a) installation of electrical wires to the engine, b) the mounting diagram of the brush assembly according to the invention, c) the mounting diagram of the brush attaching assembly according to the invention, d) the mounting brush to the brush attach assembly,

FIG. 3 shows a photograph of the invention, i.e. the brush attaching the assembly with the visible cylindrical permanent neodymium magnet mounted in the hub and the second permanent neodymium magnet mounted in the brush disc, a) before assembly, b) after assembly.

The figure uses the following indications: (1)—the brush motor support, (2)—the brush hub, (3)—the brush motor, (4)—the rubber damper, (5)—2-pin MTA-100 plug, (6)—the wire tape, (7)—the spring washer, (8)—the screw, (9)—the cylindrical neodymium magnet, (10)—the brush disc.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 2 shows in the detail following stages of mounting the brush to the brush drive assembly designed to be placed in the vacuum cleaner, in a preferred realization.

In the present realization, the brush drive assembly includes an electric motor (3), which can spin the brush. FIG. 2 a) shows diagram for the assembly of electrical wires to motor (3) In this case, two-wired tape (6) with MTA-100 plug is used.

FIG. 2 b) shows a diagram of the brush assembly according to the invention, in the example of realization. Brush has a disc (10). To the disc (10) there are mounted brush operating arms (bristles). Disc (10) is also used to mount the brush to the drive unit placed in the vacuum cleaner. To provide it, there is a cylindrical neodymium permanent magnet (9) mounted in the brush wheel (10), facing one of its magnetic poles in the vacuum cleaner direction (on attached figure it is the south pole S).

FIG. 2 c) shows the mounting diagram of brush attaching assembly, according to the invention, in the example realization. It is also the driving module of the brush designed to be installed in the vacuum cleaner. Assembly consists of a motor (3), a brush motor support (1), four rubber dampers (4), and a hub (2) fixed on motor shaft. The support (1) is fixed to motor (3) by screws (8) with a washer (7). The neodymium permanent magnet (9) is placed on the top end of the hub (2) and its facing one of its magnetic poles in the brush direction (on attached drawing it's the north pole N).

For a person skilled is obvious, that alternatively permanent magnet placed in the brush disc facing its north pole in the direction of a vacuum robot, and respectively permanent magnet placed in the hub of the brush drive is facing its south pole in the brush direction. It is important that the magnet in the brush drive assembly and the magnet of the proper brush (proper means brush dedicated to be mounted on that assembly) draw each other. This is achieved by exposing different magnetics poles opposite to each other.

FIG. 2 d) shows the diagram of mounting a brush to the brush attaching assembly. Fixing of the brush on the hub is achieved by the magnetic force thanks to a draw of different magnetic poles from the brush and the hub to each other. Installing and removing the brush does not require use of tools.

When the vacuum cleaner brushes are in pairs and are different (for example, a left and a right), in one of the brush permanent magnets is placed facing different magnetic pole in the vacuum direction than the other one placed in second brush is. Correspondingly, the configuration of a magnet placed in the brush attaching assembly dedicated to the brush mounting is that a magnet is facing in direction of the brush with this magnetic pole which draws magnetic pole of the brush which is facing in the vacuum direction. With this solution, it is not possible to mount brush incorrect. Only brush dedicated to brush attaching assembly will draw to it by magnetic force. In attempt of an incorrect brush mounting, the mounting will not be possible because the brush and the hub will repel each other.

The invention allows for easy (without using of tools), fast (replacing takes short amount of time) and errorless (different magnets polarization) exchange/removal of a vacuum cleaner brush, especially if the brushes are paired (i.e. there is a division to left and right brush).

The design of left and right brush modules are different only by different (i.e. opposite) placing permanent neodymium magnets in brush discs and hubs. The appropriate configuration of these magnets (made at the production stage) provides the connection properties specified above.

FIG. 2 d) shows diagram of mounting the brush to the brush attaching assembly. FIG. 3 shows a photograph of the invention, i.e. a brush disc and the brush attaching assembly, in the preferred realization, a) before brush mounting, b) after mounting the brush to the brush attaching assembly.

For a person skilled, it is clear that although the above realization describes an example of the rotating brushes, in the same way the invention can be implement to mounting other working elements such as brushes other than rotating, mops, sponges, polishing wheels, etc., except for the mounting method described in the present application, comprising respectively placed and oriented relative to each other magnets—can retain their conventional construction, well known to a person skilled.

Furthermore, for a person skilled is clear that the shown solution for mounting the brushes can be implemented in any kind of vacuum cleaners, in particular automatic or autonomous, as well as in other types of devices (e.g. for fixing rotary mower blades, mops in robot-mops or robot-scrubbers—technical variant of a robot-mop). Aforementioned devices, i.e. mower, scrubber etc., except for the operating arms mounting method described in the present application, comprising respectively placed and oriented relative to each other magnets—can retain their conventional construction, well known to a person skilled. 

1. A brush for a vacuum cleaner comprising of the disc designed for mounting the brush to a vacuum cleaner characterized in that the brush disc (10) is equipped with the permanent magnet (9), facing one of magnet poles in the vacuum cleaner direction.
 2. The brush according to claim 1, characterized in that is a rotating brush.
 3. The brush according to claim 1, characterized in that the permanent magnet (9) is a neodymium magnet, preferably cylindrical.
 4. An assembly for brush mounting, in particular a vacuum cleaner rotating brush, characterized in that it is equipped with a permanent magnet (9), facing one of its magnetic poles in the direction of the brush.
 5. The assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that it is also the drive assembly of the brush.
 6. The assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that it comprises a motor (3) brushes and the hub (2), designed for fixing the rotating brush.
 7. The assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that the permanent magnet (9) is located in the hub (2).
 8. The assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that mentioned permanent magnet (9) is a neodymium magnet, preferably cylindrical.
 9. A vacuum cleaner equipped with the brush attaching assembly, in particular a rotary brush, according to claim
 4. 10. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 9, characterized in that it comprises at least two assemblies for mounting the brushes, in particular rotating brushes, means the right and left assembly where every of them is equipped with the permanent magnet (9) facing one of its magnetic poles in the brush direction, wherein the permanent magnet in right brush attaching assembly is faced in the brush direction with opposite magnetic pole than the left brush attaching assembly magnet is.
 11. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 9, characterized in that it is an automatic vacuum cleaner, and in particular a remote-controlled or an autonomous vacuum cleaner.
 12. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 9, is equipped with a brush. 